Portable apparatus for preventing damages from electro-magnetic field for implantable device in human bodies

• US 20070213779A1
• Filed: 04/23/2007
• Published: 09/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emil D.E. Toffol
• Original Assignee: Emil D.E. Toffol
• Inventors: Toffol, Emil De
• Granted Patent: US 7,755,477 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/08 Arrangements or circuits for monitoring, protecting, controlling or indicating for external stimulators A61N1/3603; for implantable neurostimulators A61N1/36128; for heart stimulators A61N1/37; for defibrillators A61N1/3925
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3718 Monitoring of or protection against external electromagnetic fields or currents
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 29/0814 Field measurements related to measuring influence on or from apparatus, components or humans EMC, EMI and similar testing in general G01R31/001, e.g. in ESD, EMI, EMC, EMP testing, measuring radiation leakage; detecting presence of micro- or radiowave emitters; dosimetry; testing shielding; measurements related to lightning

Abstract

An apparatus detects DC magnetic field, AC magnetic and electrical fields, and high frequency/microwave radiation, and alarms when the field strength is beyond the safety threshold. The threshold was set up based on pacemaker and other implantable device manufacturer'"'"'s specifications and left enough safety margins to give early warning before the sources actually start interfering with the implanted devices.

Claims

1. A portable apparatus for preventing damages from DC magnetic field, AC magnetic and electrical fields, and high frequency/microwave radiation for implantable devices comprising:

a channel for detecting DC magnetic field from 0.5 Gauss to 10 Gauss, and alarms when the field strength exceeds a threshold set by the implantable device manufacturers;

a channel for detecting AC magnetic field from 1 mGauss to 3 Gauss, and alarms when the field strength exceeds a threshold set by the implantable device manufacturers;

a channel for detecting AC electrical field from 1 KV/m to 8 KV/m, and alarms when the field strength exceeds a threshold set by the implantable device manufacturers;

a channel for detecting RF/microwave radiation from 0.2 mW/cm² to 5 mW/cm², and alarms when the field strength exceeds a threshold set by the implantable device manufacturers; and

a low battery alarm circuit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, where the DC magnetic field detection channel further comprising:

a DC magnetic field sensor;

a DC signal processor;

a comparator; and

an analog display unit comprising a meter, or bar LED display, or vibrator, or flashing light, to provide visual and mechanical alarm signal for this application, or a digital display unit comprising individual LEDs or bar LED display to provide visual alarm signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, where the AC magnetic field detection channel further comprising:

an AC magnetic field sensor;

an AC signal processor;

a comparator; and

an analog display unit comprising a meter, or bar LED display, or vibrator, or flashing light, to provide visual and mechanical alarm signal for this application, or a digital display unit comprising individual LEDs or bar LED display to provide visual alarm signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, where the AC electrical field detection channel further comprising:

an AC electrical field sensor;

an AC signal processor;

a comparator; and

an analog display unit comprising a meter, or bar LED display, or vibrator, or flashing light, to provide visual and mechanical alarm signal for this application, or a digital display unit comprising individual LEDs or bar LED display to provide visual alarm signal.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, where the RF/microwave radiation detection channel further comprising:

a RF/microwave radiation sensor;

a RF/microwave signal processor;

a comparator; and

an analog display unit comprising a meter, or bar LED display, or vibrator, or flashing light, to provide visual and mechanical alarm signal for this application, or a digital display unit comprising individual LEDs or bar LED display to provide visual alarm signal.

6. The display unit of claim 2, 3, 4, or 5, either analog or digital, further connected to a buzzer to provide audible alarm signal.